About 87 percent of parents surveyed about their student's use of an iPad at Neil Armstrong Middle School agree the program will benefit students, according to newly released data.

A total of 176 parents took the anonymous survey, which asked 10 questions about experiences with the iPads and how the devices affect communication and their student’s education. The survey gave a statement, and the person responded with agree, strongly agree, disagree, strongly disagree or neutral.

The surveys, which will be administered again, were taken by a total of 642 parents, students and teachers. According to Principal Brandon Hundley, the first round of surveys was used to gather preliminary data on the program. Earlier this fall, the district also established evaluation metrics for the program using behavioral data and state test scores, among other factors.

According to Hundley, many parents took the survey, which was available for about a month this fall, at parent teacher conferences. There was also a link to the survey on the school’s webpage.

“Basically what we’re trying to find out is if the parents agree that the digital conversion is a good thing to do,” he said.

The first survey question asked parents to weigh in on the statement, “I agree that the NAMS digital conversion is the right thing to do for students.” A majority of parents -- 153 -- agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. Only 12 disagreed or strongly disagreed and 11 were neutral.

About 85 percent -- 150 parents -- also strongly agreed or agreed that the experience with the iPads has so far been positive for their student. Eighteen parents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the iPads have been positive for their student, and eight parents responded neutral.

Cost breakdown of pilot program

According to Mike Schofield, Forest Grove School District business manager, the program is estimated to cost about $300,000 a year. Here’s a breakdown of costs as of November.

First year total: $297,366.28

Device lease: $249,578.83

Teacher training: 6,254.95

Power adaptors: $475.00

Cases: $22,057.50

Voucher for applications: $19,000

Additional second year costs will be determined during the budgeting process for 2014-2015 school year.

Device lease: $249,578.83

Total lease interest: $498.16

When presented with the statement, “My student’s school-work is more organized now than it was before coming to NAMS,” 120 parents said they strongly agreed or agreed, 23 were neutral, and 33 disagreed or strongly disagreed.

Toni Jones said she has noticed some academic changes with her grandson, an eighth grader, since the iPad roll out. “He gets his work done a lot faster,” she said, yet he sometimes has trouble locating assignments on the device.

But when her grandson was sick and missed school, Jones said it was easier to get caught up because all of his make-up work was available online.

Parents were also asked on the survey if it’s easier now to monitor their student’s work and communicate with teachers. Twenty-four parents disagreed or strongly disagreed and 121 agreed or strongly agreed that it’s easier to monitor their student’s work since the digital conversion. Thirty-one parents gave a response of neutral to the statement.

When asked if it’s easier to reach teachers than before the digital conversion, 47 parents responded with neutral, more than any other question. Twenty parents disagreed or strongly disagreed, and 109 parents agreed or strongly agreed that communication has gotten easier.

Although parent Melinda Fischer supports increasing technology at the school, she worries that the full-on digital conversion is too much.

At the start of the school year, administrators had to take back the devices from students and reprogram them when the Apple iOS7 software automatically updated. Fischer was concerned about the classroom time lost for technical glitches and program set-up.

“I think it’s our future and I think implementing more technology is great,” she said. “It should have been done on a smaller scale.”

Fischer also said she was skeptical of the cost of a program which only benefits students at one school. To lease the devices alone for two years costs about $500,000, according to the district.

With the pilot program, parents are also financially involved. Families are expected to pay $50 a year to help out, though scholarships are available for families who need it, Hundley said.

According to Hundley, as of Dec. 2, 601 families have paid the full fee. Ten families have gotten scholarships, and 143 families are on installment plans, paying between $5 and $45so far. The school will be contacting 96 families who still need to begin a payment plan, Hundley said.

The above graph compares answers to the first statement given on the parent, student and teacher surveys. Pam Martin/The Forest Grove Leader

Parents who took the survey could also fill in where they need more help. Several parents said they need support in helping their student with homework, applications on the iPads, or Synergy and Schoology, two programs the school uses for grading and assignments.

The school has offered some optional parent nights that focus on iPad use, Hundley said in an email. At a class earlier this month, about 45 families were in attendance for a session about work-flow.

“We will continue to plan opportunities for families like that,” Hundley said.

Overall, Hundley said he feels like the pilot program has so far shown that the community supports teachers and students. He hopes to show appreciation back by having the program be a success.

“My gratitude for my community is very high,” he said. “I take it very seriously and we want very much to saythank-you with excellent results.”

--Laura Frazier

A previous version of this story misstated the number of families who have paid the full $50 fee for the iPad program.